Inquiry: spam_RDL Herpetology

First, the contact info on this guy... spam_I'm not sure how many email addresses and aliases he has...

www.rdlherpetology.com - Darrin Venhuis/Ryan Smith
6616 NE 144TH ST
VANCOUVER, Washington 98686-2020

Phone: (360)258-7392
Fax: (360)258-7589

sales@rdlherpetology.com
SuperFrink@aol.com
rdlherps@aol.com

OK, here we go. spam_Has anyone dealt with this individual? spam_He sent me an "adult" female Red Blood Python from Washington to Colorado. spam_No heat pack even after he asked me if it needed a heat or cold pack. spam_No insulation in the box. spam_The temperatures were in the 40s at that time. spam_

The snake is dehydrated. spam_She is very thin, and has tons of stuck shed on her. spam_She has dirt packed into her belly scales and vent. spam_She has scale rot on her stomach. spam_

She is no longer covered in mites at least... spam_I did not notice the mites until I had warmed her up sufficiently. spam_She had SO MANY mites it would have been IMPOSSIBLE to miss it. spam_I spent 4 days getting her rid of mites, and now I am working on the rest of my house, since I am SURE they have spread. spam_Like I said... spam_Didn't see the mites until she warmed up.

Now - Ryan Smith or whatever his name actually is got pretty defensive when I emailed him with the problems. spam_He claimed I was threatening him, and he was going to do nothing for me. spam_Eventually he admitted that he never looked at her belly for scale rot, knew she was covered in mites, and agreed to refund me the purchase price minus shipping. spam_

Where is he now?? spam_He has not responded to my emails, and I have no refund. spam_He said 3 days, it has been a week.

So... spam_Has anyone else dealt with this guy? spam_If you haven't, now is NOT the time to start. spam_I would strongly discourage ANYONE from dealing with him. spam_

In conclusion... spam_My last email from him:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I willbe getting that $$ to you as soon as I get it. spam_Within the next couple
days. spam_Where do you get the mite treartment you mentioned. spam_I use a mite
preventative that apparentley doesn't work. spam_I believe the brand is natures
miracle, but I'll double check. spam_I noticed some mites yesterday, so I know
you're right. spam_Sorry again spam_<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Well, this has created quite a bit of email traffic from Ryan to me. &nbsp;He has made a lot of claims, and now refuses to give me a refund. &nbsp;

He has also threatened me with a lawsuit because of the information I have posted here about him. &nbsp;For the record:

The following information came from his website located at http://www.rdlherpetology.com -

6616 NE 144TH ST
VANCOUVER, Washington 98686-2020

Phone: (360)258-7392
Fax: (360)258-7589

sales@rdlherpetology.com

And this information came from a Whois search located at http://name.space.xs2.net/cgi-bin/whois.pl -

RDL Herpetology - Darren Venhuis
&nbsp; 6616 NE 144TH ST
&nbsp; VANCOUVER, Washington 98686-2020
&nbsp; US

&nbsp; Domain Name: RDLHERPETOLOGY.COM

&nbsp; Administrative Contact:
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Jeff Barringer jeffb@kingsnake.com
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;OnlineHobbyist.com, Inc.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;508 East Howard Lane #25
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Austin, Texas 78753
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;US
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Phone: 512-990-1092
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Fax:
&nbsp; Technical Contact:
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Jeff Barringer jeffb@kingsnake.com
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;OnlineHobbyist.com, Inc.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;508 East Howard Lane #25
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Austin, Texas 78753
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;US
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Phone: 512-990-1092
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Fax:

&nbsp; Record updated on 2002-06-28 20:14:49
&nbsp; Record created on 2002-06-28
&nbsp; Record expires on 2003-06-28
&nbsp; Database last updated on 2002-10-24 18:59:49 EST

&nbsp; Domain servers in listed order:

&nbsp; NS1.KINGSNAKE.COM &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 209.198.148.110
&nbsp; NS2.KINGSNAKE.COM &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 209.198.140.162

-------------------------------------------------------

As we can all see, I obtained my information through legal means, and everything I have posted is PUBLIC INFORMATION available to anyone with internet access.

He has made claims that the photos I took of the snake he sent to me are not even pictures of that snake. &nbsp;The odd part about this statement is that the photos were of the snake's belly (scale rot), and he has already admitted that she could have scale rot because he had not even looked at her stomach before packing her up.

He claims I am in the wrong here because I expected a perfect animal for $115 shipped. &nbsp;Why would I have expected less?? &nbsp;He never claimed to be sending me a "less than perfect" or "B grade" animal. &nbsp;

So now he does not want to refund me... &nbsp;Yet he sent me a WHOLE LOT more mites than I paid for, that's for sure!

To be continued...

Mark Berger

It seems RDL Herpetology does not want to tell their side of this story... &nbsp;They KNOW it's here! &nbsp;I guess we will just have to go on with my side...

So far I have turned them in to the National Fraud Information Center, Better Business Bureau, Scambusters, &nbsp;Kingsnake.com admin...

I am now working on turning them in to Paypal, FBI Internet Fraud Complaint Center, State law enforcement, local animal control...

Any agencies I am missing? &nbsp;I just want to make sure I cover all possible...

Mark

Mark I was being more than fair with you when I said I would refund your money, and I genuinly meant it. &nbsp;I would rather have given your money back, AS I WOULD HAVE TO ANYBODY, who was acting respectful, and was displeased with an animal. &nbsp;You sent me an e-mail on a Saturday, and on Sunday morning, you had slandered my name, not just stating facts, but being accusatory of ridiculous allegations. &nbsp;Darren Venhuis is my business partner,not my AKA, and his name is on our business liscense, as well as my girlfriends. Why would having 2 e-mail addresses (sales@rdlherpetology is linked to my superfrink@aol.com account, through kingsnake.), make you suspiscious? &nbsp;ESPESCIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE AT LEAST TWO?!?!?!
neon2nv@hotmail.com & &nbsp;the one you have listed here. &nbsp;I have not been responding, because I feel you have taken this to a level that is downright absurd. &nbsp;I do not enjoy being persecuted for issues NOT EVEN PERTINENT TO OUR PROBLEM!!!!! &nbsp;You have falsely accused me of fraud, and SLANDERED me in public, and expect me to feel like I OWE YOU!!! &nbsp;If you had continued to deal with this issue in the courteous manner you previously had &nbsp;been, EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE!! &nbsp;I will deal with you again when you are ready to deal with this matter as we were before you got nasty. &nbsp;I also believe anyone else has had a bad experience through us, but know plenty who have. &nbsp;I don't believe you will get anyone else to slander us here as you have, because I honestly believe from what everyone else has said that has purchased any animals from us have been great things. &nbsp;I would be just as happy to hear from anyone who has recieved unsatisfactory animals in the past as you Mark, because I haven't heard it before, and WOULD FIX ANY PROBLEM IMMEDIATLEY, CONTRARY TO WHAT MR BERGER SAYS OR BELIEVES!!!!

I forgot to post my name and information on the previous response.
My name is: RYAN SMITH (and it says so on my birth certificate, lol)
My e-mail address is Superfrink@aol.com
Business e-mail rdlherps@aol.com, or sales@rdlherpetology.com(this will be forwarded to Superfrink@aol.com.
Darren Venhuis e-mail address is yonferrin@aol.com
Please feel free to e-mail

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You have falsely accused me of fraud, and SLANDERED me in public, and expect me to feel like I OWE YOU!!! </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Ryan, you falsely represented the animal you sold to me. &nbsp;You sold me a female Red Blood Python as a healthy adult. &nbsp;What I recieved was a 3 ft, 810 gram snake covered in mites, and with scale rot. &nbsp;You did not disclose to me the fact that it had open sores on it's stomach (After the fact, you told me you never even looked at her stomach). &nbsp;You did not tell me she was covered in mites (After the fact, you told me you were aware of the mite problem and did not know how to fix it). &nbsp;Ryan, it is not slander if it is the truth...

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I would be just as happy to hear from anyone who has recieved unsatisfactory animals in the past as you Mark, because I haven't heard it before, and WOULD FIX ANY PROBLEM IMMEDIATLEY, CONTRARY TO WHAT MR BERGER SAYS OR BELIEVES!!!!</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Maybe you won't hear any other negative remarks... &nbsp;Maybe I am the first person you have sent such a lousy snake to. &nbsp;BUT - If you had fixed this problem immediately, we WOULD NOT BE HERE RIGHT NOW.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You sent me an e-mail on a Saturday, and on Sunday morning, you had slandered my name, not just stating facts, but being accusatory of ridiculous allegations. </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

I sent you an email on Wednesday, October 16th, less than an hour after recieving this snake. &nbsp;On Wednesday evening, you emailed me telling me you would refund me the price of the snake minus the shipping. &nbsp;This is what we agreed upon. &nbsp;On Saturday evening, I had not recieved a refund yet. &nbsp;You told me you would have the money together in a few days. &nbsp;You also told me you would stay in touch. &nbsp;You did neither. &nbsp;THIS is why I emailed you looking for action, and THIS is why I posted this story here. &nbsp;

Ryan, I ask you again - Stand behind your sales, and make this right. &nbsp;I have NO PROBLEM retracting EVERY statement I have made about you, but not as long as you do not follow through with your agreement to refund me. &nbsp;At no time have I been unreasonable. &nbsp;A little angry? &nbsp;YES! &nbsp;Who wouldn't be?? &nbsp;You've jeapordized a large part of my collection by sending me an animal with mites. &nbsp;You've cost me valuable time nursing a sickly snake back to health. &nbsp;I still battle with this snake, and I still have treatments due for the mites. &nbsp;If you had sent me what you advertised, we would have not had any of these problems.

If you flat-out refuse to do the right thing and refund me for the price of this snake, the LEAST you could do is explain yourself here. &nbsp;Tell everyone why you sent me a snake with stuck shed, scale rot, and mites. &nbsp;Tell everyone why you did not put a heat pack in the box when you ASKED me if it needed one. &nbsp;Tell everyone why you did not even insulate the box. &nbsp;These are all questions I would love to see answered.

Lastly - Please let me know what "rediculous allegations" I have made. &nbsp;I have not been lying, or even bending the truth a little. &nbsp;I have told it exactly how it is. &nbsp;I do not hold a grudge against you, and I am not "out to get you". &nbsp;I want my money back, and I want for you to be honest in your sales. &nbsp;If you cannot do this, I will continue to pursue other avenues.

Mark Berger

This word seems to be getting tossed around a lot by Ryan...

slan·der &nbsp; Pronunciation Key &nbsp;(slndr)
n.
1. &nbsp;Law. Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation.
1. &nbsp;A false and malicious statement or report about someone.

Like I said in my above posts... &nbsp;I have made no false statements. &nbsp;I have only spoken the truth. &nbsp;Therefore, no slander.

Mark Berger

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This word seems to be getting tossed around a lot by Ryan...

slan·der &nbsp;</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Technically in the United States, written "false and malicious statements" are Libel...

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Main Entry: [1]li·bel
Pronunciation: 'lI-b&l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, written declaration, from Middle French, from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber book
Date: 14th century
1 a : a written statement in which a plaintiff in certain courts sets forth the cause of action or the relief sought b : archaic : a handbill especially attacking or defaming someone
2 a : a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression b (1) : a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt (2) : defamation of a person by written or representational means (3) : the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures (4) : the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Which all these people who've been speaking with lawyers would know IF they'd been telling the truth about discussing possible legal action against their accusor. Of course, in most instances, the statements made are justifiable based on facts (Except that strange little man who made about 8 names &nbsp;and just kept saying Rob Trenor had somehow wronged him out of the blue) and wouldn't count as libel or slander (if spoken) anyway.

It is also of note that in true cases of libel, the potential consequenses are greater than those for cases of slander because of the lasting nature of the comments. Which is a bit backwards since slander can take place in a crowded room at the top of your lungs and libel in a private written communication that nobody else sees... But that's the way it is.

Mark, you sent me an e-mail on SATURDAY asking about your refund that I told you would be there asap. &nbsp;When I got home on SUNDAY, I had already recieved another e-mail, and this SLANDEROUS POST!!!!! &nbsp;And as far as RIDICULOUS ALLEGATIONS, YOU CALLED ME A FRAUD SAID I HAVE ALIASES, AND MADE ME OUT TO BE A CON ARTIST!!!!!!!! &nbsp;Do you really beleive that as being accurate? &nbsp;That was the worst thing you could have done to my name, AND YOU LIED!!!!!!! &nbsp; I AM NOT A CON ARTIST, AND I HAVE NO ALIASES!!!!!!!! &nbsp; I SENT YOU A PIC TAKEN THE SAME DAY, AND YOU CLAIM THE ANIMAL WAS FALSELY REPRESENTED. &nbsp;WHRN YOU GOT A PIC?<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>? &nbsp;That sounds like SLANDER TO ME......INFACT YOU DEFINE IT AS "1. spam_Law. Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation.
1. spam_A false and malicious statement or report about someone."
YOU MUST BE INTELLIGENT ENOUGH (MAYBE) TO REALIZE THAT BRINGING THIS TO A LEVEL THAT WAS NOT ABOUT A REFUND OR A SNAKE, AND DRAGGING MY NAME THROUGH THE MUD AS A FRAUD, ACCUSING ME OF HAVING ALIASES, ETC. IS SLANDEROUS. &nbsp;BECAUSE IT IS NOT TRUE. &nbsp;SEE. &nbsp;THERES THE PART THAT MATCHES YOUR TEXTBOOK DEFINITION. &nbsp; I am an ebglish wiz, and DO &nbsp;know what words to use. &nbsp;In fact it seems you are trying to twist this situation with words. &nbsp;Libel? &nbsp;THIS IS SLANDER, BECAUSE IT ONLY CONTAINS A SMALL FRACTION OF TRUTH. You may not have been able to see mites, but come on, the length and weight were obvious(I still feel she was alot healthier that you said.), and about the same as the blood python shown on your webpage. &nbsp;And as far as the mites, I conceded that I found some as well, and that you were RIGHT!!! &nbsp;I APOLOGIZED, and was willing to refund your $$. &nbsp;The mite preventative I was using was "Natures Miracle Mite Preventative". (PLEASE NOBODY USE THIS STUFF, IT DOESN'T WORK.) &nbsp; BESIDES all this I WAS going to send you a refund, UNTIL you attacked(or whatever kinder, gentler, word you want to use, Mark) me here!!!! &nbsp;Where did I say three days?<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>? &nbsp;I said as soon as I could get it to spare. &nbsp;YOU DECIDED THREE DAYS!!!!!! &nbsp;If I am wrong, show me. &nbsp;Before I even had a chance to read Saturdays e-mail, where you stated,"Any word on that refund yet?", and before I didyou had posted this. You got extremely pushy, and NOBODY likes being pushed around and badmouthed. &nbsp;As i stated before, I feel you have taken this to an ABSURD level, as I am having to defend myself against ASSANINE accusations. &nbsp;See, if I bought a snake from YOU, then was unhappy, it would be about the snake. &nbsp;I would not say,"Mark sells walnuts not snakes", or "I believe Mark, or reptileguy, or neon2nv@hotmail.com, or WHATEVER his name is, fights chickens". &nbsp;SEE BUDDY, SOME THINGS JUST AREN'T TRUE, AND ME BEING DARREN VENHUIS, WELL, THAT'S NOT TRUE, NOR IS THE FACT THAT I AM SOME GUY WITH A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT E-MAILS AND OTHER NAMES, INTENTIONALLY TRYING TO RIP PEOPLE OFF. (slander) I AM SORRY YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE SNAKE, I WILL GRANT YOU THE REFUND &nbsp;You expect people to believe that I am lying about who I am, simply because you say it. &nbsp;And yes, I have been to many a business classes, and I know your game here. One unhappy customer is more powerful than 1,000 good ones when ranting. &nbsp;MAYBE YOU, KNOWING THAT, ARE THE CON TRYING TO GET SOMETHING FOR NOTHING BY STRONG ARMING ME. You are the FIRST person who as ever complained. &nbsp;Now I don't know if that's what you're trying to pull or not, but I wouldn't ACCUSE you unless I was sure it was true. &nbsp;A SIMPLE CHECK WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THAT ALL OF OUR INFO IS REAL, THAT I AM WHO I SAY I AM. &nbsp;WHO ARE YOU TO PERSECUTE ME FOR HAVING MORE THAN ONE E-MAIL ADDRESS WHEN YOU YOURSELF HAVE SEVERAL. I am at my wits end with you, Mark. &nbsp;I have explained myself, and wasted hours of my time on this little pi**ing match. &nbsp;I WILL NOT WASTE ANY MORE. LIKE I SAID YESTERDAY DEAL WITH ME AS AN ADULT, AND YOU GET RESULTS. &nbsp;I ALSO SAID NO ONE ELSE WOULD JOIN THIS LITTLE BASH "RYAN SMITH" PARTY, BECAUSE I HAVEN'T RIPPED ANYONE OFF. &nbsp;SO WHERE ARE THEY, OR ARE YOU THE LONE SOLDIER?<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>?? &nbsp;IN CONCLUSION, my customers are THE BEST!!! &nbsp;I treat them with respect, and they do the same for me. &nbsp;I WILL NOT DRAG THEM INTO THIS. &nbsp;I think we have all had that "one customer". Mark was mine, and I'm just glad it was over $75, not more. &nbsp;To any businesses out there: IF YOU DEAL WITH THIS GUY, EXPECT HIM TO BE VERY DEMANDING AND UPPITY. &nbsp;ALSO, Mark, I have worked and voluntered at the Humane Society, and know several Animal Control agents, as well as some Humane Officers. &nbsp;I know how to properley take care of animals thank you. AS I SAID, YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON TO EVER COMPLAIN. &nbsp;INTERESTING...............

If you want to take care of this, e-mail me, and we can see how civil you are. &nbsp;I am still not oppossed to refunding your money if you can strop the immature mudslinging. &nbsp;I just have a feeling you will take it and continue to blast me, from your display of your personality already.
Forgot to post my info again, sorry guys, I'm new at this &nbsp; <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
Superfrink@aol.com